On Thursday, December 12, 2024, at about 10:00 p.m. Officers attached to the Special Operations Unit and the Traffic Enforcement Team, executed a Warrant to Search for Property, on the premises of Chester Garner- Ernest at Carielle, Castries.
During the conduct of the search, one .380 firearm, one .22 magazine, ten (10) rounds of 12- gauge ammunition, twenty (20) rounds of 5.56 ammunition, one hundred and ninety-four (194) rounds of .22 ammunition and a quantity of compressed marijuana was recovered. It was verified that he was not licensed to carry a firearm and as a consequence he was arrested.
Chester Garner- Ernest, a Saint Lucian native, with American citizenship, was formally charged for the following;
- Possession of Firearm.
- Three counts of Possession of Ammunition.
- Possession of Controlled Drugs.
- Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force continues its investigations into the trafficking of weapons into the country, through collaborations with partner agencies, such as the Customs and Excise Department. This recovery is testament to the dedicated efforts of law enforcement officials in identifying and arresting the illicit movement of firearms and ammunition across our borders.